Florida Urges Under-65s to Skip Boosters

Photo byPhoto 287063981 | Desantis © Jhansen2

Florida authorities have advised individuals under the age of 65 to avoid receiving the new Covid booster shots, contrary to the advice of US health experts.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared after the Centers for Disease Control advised Americans older than six months to get boosters.

The number of cases of COVID-19 is increasing in the US and other nations, although it remains lower than during the pandemic.

The CDC's recommendations differ from those of the UK and most other European nations.

DeSantis, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, and three doctors who attended the video call on X, the platform that replaced Twitter, where the announcement was made, kept bringing up that issue.

The UK government will provide boosters to individuals over 65, younger individuals in clinical risk categories, frontline healthcare professionals, and others who interact with the most vulnerable members of society.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has advised EU nations to give older adults and other vulnerable groups priority.

When Covid vaccinations were introduced, DeSantis, also a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, was a staunch supporter. 

However, since then, DeSantis has constantly criticized vaccine producers and stoked safety concerns, going above and beyond resistance to vaccine mandates. 

In Florida and several other states, laws prohibiting mandates for employment or access to establishments or public areas have been passed.

DeSantis and the medical professionals on the call questioned the safety and efficacy of the booster doses and Covid vaccinations in general.

Florida's position contradicts recommendations made by national medical authorities and US government officials.

The boosters are improved versions of existing COVID vaccines which have undergone controlled trials – the gold standard in scientific research.

Do you agree with Florida's call for individuals under 65 to skip the Covid booster shots, despite conflicting advice from national health experts and the US government?

Leave your comment below and share this on social media.